Large Stump Grinder

Our Brand new SG-75 did have an issue with the tracks soon after we started using it. The tracks are tensioned with grease and after only about a month of use the zurk fitting on each track seized up and wouldn’t take grease. Apparently it was a manufacturing error and they had put the wrong zurk fittings on that weren’t rated for the intended use. Bandit sent us new fittings free under warranty and we haven’t had any issues since.
I would say the biggest downsides to tracks are 1.) It’s easier to tear up yards and 2.) If you throw a track on a jobsite it makes for a frustrating day
 
"...tensioned with grease..." Wow, they use a cylinder full of grease instead of a big ass bolt and nut that would lock up solid with rust and dirt in the first week out in the field. If you think about it just a little, it makes perfect sense. You'd need an sealed enclosure full grease to keep the bolt and nut working, so....

And I learned a new word...york...a combination of yoke and fork for the fitting on the end of the cylinder.

Only 10:30 in the morning, and it's been a good day.
 
Winchman said:
"...tensioned with grease..." Wow, they use a cylinder full of grease instead of a big ass bolt and nut that would lock up solid with rust and dirt in the first week out in the field. If you think about it just a little, it makes perfect sense. You'd need an sealed enclosure full grease to keep the bolt and nut working, so....

And I learned a new word...york...a combination of yoke and fork for the fitting on the end of the cylinder.

Only 10:30 in the morning, and it's been a good day.
Click to expand...
Grease cylinders are very common track tensioners, especially on bigger machines.

My only real complaint about tracks is lawn damage - it’s very hard to steer on a soft lawn without tearing the grass.
 
HigherGroundArborist said:
We went with the Bandit SG-75. Super excited to get this unit dirty! Biggest selling points for us were:

1. Outstanding customer service from Bandit
2. Price Point: at just over $60,000, this unit is just as good as the Rayco ($85,000) or Carlton ($78,000) or Vermeer ($75,000)

We also went with the Reverse-S Wheel from Green Manufacturing instead of the New River Wheel. We demoed the New River wheel and just weren’t impressed. We have always been impressed with the products that we get from Green Manufacturing. I’ll try and post another update in a few months to share on how it’s performing. Thanks to everyone who provided feedback in this thread.
Click to expand...
 
Winchman said:
"...tensioned with grease..." Wow, they use a cylinder full of grease instead of a big ass bolt and nut that would lock up solid with rust and dirt in the first week out in the field. If you think about it just a little, it makes perfect sense. You'd need an sealed enclosure full grease to keep the bolt and nut working, so....

And I learned a new word...york...a combination of yoke and fork for the fitting on the end of the cylinder.

Only 10:30 in the morning, and it's been a good day.
Click to expand...


Fun that you view that as the makings for a good day. (Easy/doable to have a lot of, or all, good days.) :)

I like the problem solving aspect of tree work. Like working a new puzzle every day, ...and I get paid really well to do it.

Solution for damage during big turns with tracks is to throw down a partial sheet of plywood and do your pivot/turn on that.
 
Kubota70 said:
Could you comment on sg75 since you have experience running it thanks
Click to expand...
I absolutely love this machine. We ran the Vermeer, Rayco and Carlton before we made a decision. Let’s be honest, all of these machines are big, powerful and blast through stumps. When we first got our Sg75 I was super nervous loading and unloading on our trailer because it seems so top heavy. After running it for several months now I’m no longer concerned about it. As far as driving it on slopes it will stop if it senses the slope is too much. I haven’t pushed it to that limit yet. I love the auto stop feature that will stop the cutter wheel if you’re taking too big of a bite. This was a huge factor for us in deciding on this machine. We burnt through so many belts on our last unit because of inexperienced operators. When we demoed the SG75 I pushed it hard and I was able to stall it out but it was difficult. I really like the Reverse-S wheel from Green Manufacturing. I believe it performs better than the New River wheel, plus it has less teeth to maintain. The backfill blade is a must. I’m not sure if that’s standard or not, but you will definitely want it. Most stumps when you finish grinding you just put the blade down and drive over the stump. It backfills all the shavings right back into the hole. Lastly, it really does have an 80inch reach from side to side. I measured it myself. It’s awesome.
 
PRICE POINT! I don’t know how they’re so cheap, but I think after taxes we paid ~$64,000. The Vermeer ($75,000), Carlton (78,000), and Rayco ($80,000) are all way more expensive. I’ve run them all. In my opinion none of them out perform the Bandit. The Rayco is built like a tank and is practically bulletproof, but not worth an extra $15,000.
 
which rayco were you quoted 85k for? im waiting for a rg165 which i was quoted 85 for, it has 65% more hp and 50% torque than a rg100x granted its hydrostatic vs bandits direct drive but i dont see how it could be even close production wise with more than double the power. we'll have to race when it comes in march...lol
 
DupreeLLT said:
which rayco were you quoted 85k for? im waiting for a rg165 which i was quoted 85 for, it has 65% more hp and 50% torque than a rg100x granted its hydrostatic vs bandits direct drive but i dont see how it could be even close production wise with more than double the power. we'll have to race when it comes in march...lol
Click to expand...
We were quoted $80,000 for the RG80 with a Diesel engine upgrade. We were trying to compare apples to apples when we demoed all the units. We knew we wanted a Diesel engine in whichever unit we decided on. I’ll be honest, I think our Bandit with an 80” cutting width can outperform your 165 with its 72.5” cutting width...I’d love to race you!
Did you buy a Rayco custom trailer for your grinder? I think their custom trailers are sweet.
 
HigherGroundArborist said:
We were quoted $80,000 for the RG80 with a Diesel engine upgrade. We were trying to compare apples to apples when we demoed all the units. We knew we wanted a Diesel engine in whichever unit we decided on. I’ll be honest, I think our Bandit with an 80” cutting width can outperform your 165 with its 72.5” cutting width...I’d love to race you!
Did you buy a Rayco custom trailer for your grinder? I think their custom trailers are sweet.
Click to expand...
i didnt know they had different engine options on rg80. we didnt buy a dedicated trailer, i move my stumper and loader on one trailer, so weight was a major factor in my decision. my brother in law lives about half way between us, well have stumper showdown...stump humper 2021 lol
 

Attachments

  • 20200610_205326.jpg
    20200610_205326.jpg
    775.7 KB · Views: 25
DupreeLLT said:
which rayco were you quoted 85k for? im waiting for a rg165 which i was quoted 85 for, it has 65% more hp and 50% torque than a rg100x granted its hydrostatic vs bandits direct drive but i dont see how it could be even close production wise with more than double the power. we'll have to race when it comes in march...lol
Click to expand...
Do you know the torque numbers of the 165hp Gas engine?
Many thanks and btw a race would be great.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Kask Stihl NORTHEASTERN Arborists Wesspur TreeStuff.com Teufelberger Westminster X-Rigging Teufelberger
Back
Top Bottom